Brett Visit: Day 1

In preparation to visit New York I, like usual waited till the last minute to pack my things. Two friends of mine turned 21 the week I left. So Thursday night we went out to celebrate. I came home a little later than planned and I had to be up at 5 a.m.! Needless to say, the morning wasn’t my favorite part of the day. I get to the airport with my dad, and I check my bags and I forgot to tag my luggage, haha. My mom was freaking out. The flight was a blur I got there in no time and rode the bus into the city.

The walk to Ashley’s apartment was “Only three blocks.”  Ha, I wish it was only three blocks. So after about 10 minutes I come up to this building and it looked really nice and it was the address I was looking for. I thought no way this is her place. I was picturing the stereotypical apartment that’s brick and kind of run down. Not hers; it is a huge very nice building. I get into her room and see that it is a little small but very nice. She has a balcony that I stood on for a while and overlooked a little bit of the big city. That was pretty cool, I could see part of the Hudson and the quieter side of Manhattan. After the long morning and the walk I set out for some food. I figured I had to start out the trip right and get some New York pizza. I got a piece of Hawaiian and it was so good. I took a nap and set out a little early to Ashley’s work to see her for the first time. I walk around time square a little and it is absolutely breathtaking. It’s so bright and chaotic yet everything has order.

So I finally have to go meet Ashley. Like I do in Iowa where ever I go, I got lost. But I found my way to her and it was great to see her. I hadn’t seen her in such a long time. We set out to get something to eat. We planned on going to some chicken place but it was too busy. So we settled for Dallas BBQ. There was a little wait, which was fine because I got to people watch. And in New York, you see some characters. I seen a man in high heels. Really? The food…fantastic! Worth the wait. And that gave us time to catch up. Then we went to the oldest ale house in New York, McSorely’s. It was so cool. They brew their own beer and you can only order light or dark. And when you order one, you get two. The beer was actually pretty good. I tried both the light and the dark. I liked both of them, the dark beer wasn’t dark and thick like dark beers now. It was rich and flavorful. The whole bar was authentic, the bartenders, the waiters, the artifacts, the bar, everything was Irish and old school.

Then we went to some bar that was well, interesting. I think we were the only ones of Caucasian decent and the only ones that acted like it. It was fun though; I got to meet Ashley’s friend O’Anna and her friend that eats cereal four times a day, as he told me. We didn’t get home till around 2 which is early in NYC. It’s not like Iowa where people go out at 9 or 10 and get home at 12 or 1. You go out at 11 or later and leave the bar at around 4.

Day 75

November 20, 2009

All day I am so bummed I’m at work, while Brett just arrives in the city. I can’t wait to see him and eight o’clock never took so long to get to. When he shows up at my work, I get so excited! I give him a huge hug and we bail out of there! We exchange the small talk info, then dive right into our plans for the evening! First stop—the subway, which was unfortunately uneventful.

Dinner, then McSorely’s is on the plan. I’m starving, Brett’s starving. It’s time to eat. We head to the East Village and land on the restaurant, Dallas BBQ. As we wait, I laugh as Brett people watches outside. He doesn’t really expect the area to be somewhat heavily gay populated. You should have seen his face when he saw his first man, wearing a pair of heels. Classic!

We sit down and scarf our plates like it’s our job! They have some pretty fantastic barbeque! After dinner, it’s time to get to business. The oldest ale house in New York City, McSorely’s. Let me tell you, this place is awesome! We have to wait outside for a bit, but once you step inside, it’s like your time-warped into 1800s Ireland. And I’m pretty sure the dust is from 1833 as well. It’s become part of the decorative ambience.

 

You have two choices at the bar. Light or dark beer. That’s it. No liquor, no Budweiser, nothing. When you order one drink, you get two mugs of beer. Then, its tradition to cheers your glasses like Irish men. The bartenders are straight off the Irish boat. They have the accent, the look, and the attitude! It’s all Irish and all kinds of fabulous!

We then go to a bar, “Nightengales.” We were highly out of place. Let’s just say us girls didn’t have the right curves, and the guys were of the wrong color. What was great was the free entertainment. Our table neighbors were annihilated and thought they were all kinds of fabulous. The gay man…he was wildly twirling his arms in circles, in the air—too bad he left his glow sticks at home. He just looked like he was having a spaz attack.  The girls he was with. They were wearing dresses that showed off their thongs. Not attractive. Especially when the one in the black dress likes to constantly fall on her ass, legs in the air. I’m vomiting in my mouth right now too. Just imagine being there.

 

This night is short, considering we got a late start. Well, short for me. It’s really like 2 a.m., but for NYC, the night is still young. But we go home and get rest for a busy Saturday.

Note to self: Be creative when picking out gifts for your friends. When you leave a bar and see a massive bin full of free condoms, take some! NYC Condoms, "Get Some!" Check out the website! You have to! You can’t pass something like this up! It’s hilarious! Kudos to the bartender for keeping his fellow New Yorkers save and conscious! So, they make great gifts because they have the letters, NYC, plastered all over it. So, technically, you can consider it a souvenir. Merry Christmas, friend! I got you a great NYC souvenir! Use it wisely! ;)


CHECK OUT BLOG "DAY 84" AND "DAY 85." THEN YOU WILL BE CAUGHT UP TO DATE, THUS FAR! THANKS FOR BEING PATIENT AND SEARCHFUL! =)

Day 50

October 26, 2009

Fifty days! Whew! Time flies when you're having fun! ;) Today is dedicated to errands and other important things. It's beautiful outside, so it's the perfect day to accomplish this. After running around, I stop by Dallas BBQ. They have a deal where you can get a BBQ Pork Sandwich, fries, and coleslaw for only $5! And BBQ is my favorite! It's pretty good--I wouldn't call it NYC's best BBQ place, like they do, but for five bucks, it's not bad!

I come home and send out e-mail after e-mail. My friend texts me about Salmon Mondays. I really cannot pass up a $2.75 dinner! Plus, sushi is really good for you! Then...we go to Cold Stone. That is not really god for you! But it tastes so good! Cake batter ice cream is probably the best thing ever invented! I go hang out at my friends' house to watch a little television. They have cable...I do not! ;) I have free channels, thanks to the puddy, little cable man, but I don't want to pay for the other channels.

After I get home, I send out more e-mails. Guess how many I sent out today. Let's just round it off to about 40! Yeah, 40! Do you think I heard back from any? No. Oh well. I figure one day, someone will respond to me!

Note to self: A nice trip to Mexico, or the Bahamas, or maybe even Florida would be a great way to relieve stress. Maybe I should consider. Then the big problem comes to my attention: money. Money, money, money. It's overrated! Who can argue when you're lying on the beach, a drink with a pretty umbrella in your hand, and sunshine would cause any stress? I don't know about you, but I know I would be one happy woman!